​THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. WE WILL BE COMPENSATED FOR PURCHASES MADE THROUGH THOSE LINKS AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU. ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE OUR OWN.

     When I was a kid, it was always a treat when my mom would send us kids out with pomegranates for a snack.  They were sweet and they seemed like a treasure as we dug into them finding all of those juicy red seeds (technically called arils)  to munch on!  I remember her telling us not to get them on our clothes because they would stain.  We didn't have a pomegranate tree, so I don't know where she got them, probably from a friend with a tree, so they seemed like a wonderful surprise when we had them.  

     I still don't have a pomegranate tree, but Anita does! She messaged me the other day that she had a bunch of them for me!  I was excited! 
       Anita told me that in years past, there has been an infestation of pomegranate loving bugs that have destroyed most of her fruit time and time again.  But this year she had learned about these fruit protecting bags that the bugs couldn't get through.  She ordered them from Amazon and this year was able to have a bumper crop of pomegranates!  Not only that, her tree looked like an Easter tree in her backyard! 

     Now, while eating these things when I was a kid was a treat, the prospect of picking the seeds out of all of these red orbs was somewhat daunting.  Plus, I was going to need to juice them.  Anita gave me some advice and the loan of a steam juicer.  I also have my centrifugal juicer that I thought I would try.  I read online that some people use citrus juicers like this one to juice pomegranates, too.  We ended up trying all three of these ways, and I'm here to share with you what I learned from trial and error. 

     We are a game loving family and the holidays always bring us some great new ones to play! I've shared many posts in the past suggesting to you games that our family loves.  It is one of my favorite posts to write because playing games as a family creates such great memories.
     
     I just spent a week with Alicia and her family and every night we played the games that they had added to their collection while I was there! So, I have double the amount of games to share with you this year! I'm sure you will find lots of suggestions here that your family enjoy playing together! Click on the picture or the link to go where you can snag these for yourselves.
​​

I wrote all about the original Azul on this post.  Amazon lists this as an expansion, but it is a stand alone game.  I think I love it even better than the first.  It is much easier to keep score and it is beautiful! It takes strategy to win, and it is a great game for young teens and up to play.  Azul is for 2-4 players.  There are also other versions and expansion packs available.

This fun card game can play up to 8 people, ages 8+! So a really great family game.  It is simple to learn.  You use Rock, Paper, Scissors to bid on how many tricks you think you can take.  Don't dare go above or below that bid or you will be penalized!  After you learn the basic game, the game includes ways to make it even more interesting with extra cards you can add in to the mix.  So much fun! Spoiler Alert: There is a yummy recipe included in this game from the Beck family! 

I told you about the original game of Blockbuster on this post! My son got me a new version that includes video games and TV shows! We found that made it better for those younger than 30 who didn't know very many old movies! This game is great for a large group because it is played in teams. 

In this game everyone votes on who would make the best or worst choices among the group of players.  I'm not sure that all of the choices really represent a moral choice, but they are pretty funny.  Often, we would vote for ourselves!  Who is the most competitive? Who is most likely to go the longest without eating vegetables?  Who is most likely to fart and blame it on someone else?  You get the picture.

This game has everyone figuring out peoples priorities including items and ideas you may not normally prioritize together.  I found out that Madalynn would rather wash dishes than meet new people! I'm keeping that in mind for future use!  This is a great game for a large group.

A dice game that is easy to learn but so entertaining! Good for young and old.  While I was at Alicia's, we played it every evening! My 8 year old grandson had received it for Christmas, and he liked to play it, but the adults in the house loved it and, well, I'd better give you the link for the extra pad of game sheets that you will need if you play it as much as we did! I enjoyed it so much that I ordered it and had it delivered to my house so that it was waiting for me when I got home! 

This is one of those games that takes a bit longer to play and is more for adults than kids. It requires strategy as well as luck and preplanning as you make your moves.  It is really a great game and for one with so many parts and pieces, I think $20 is a great price! 

     I think you will find something for everyone on this list.  If you try any of these, let me know how you like them! Did you get any new games this year that you would like to share with us? Drop a note in the comments! 

     I have long been a fan of Project Runway with Heidi Klum and Tim Gun.  They always take the contestants to Mood Fabric to purchase their supplies.  So, when Mood invited us to be affiliates for them, I jumped at the chance! 

     First, I hopped on their website and ordered this gorgeous knit fabric.  I've been on an infinity scarf kick over the holidays, crocheting a bunch of them for the women in my family.  I decided to try my hand at sewing a couple of them for Lindsey and Alicia as well.  (Maddy says that she doesn't wear scarves.)

     The nice thing about making infinity scarves is that from 2 yards, you can get two scarves, so they make an inexpensive gift.  You can give to two people or keep one for yourself and give one away. 

• 2 yards of fabric of your choice.  Mine is a light knit from Mood.
• Thread to match fabric
• sewing machine
• pins
• Scissors
• Needle​

​​​​

Pin the side, leaving both ends open.  
​        3.  Stitch 5/8th of an inch along the edges.  I was able to use lines on the fabric to help me keep my lines straight. 

        4.  After stitching the side, reach your hand through an end and pull the other end up to match raw edges together.  This will cause the right sides to be together.  Pin around the top of the edges to sew the ends together, but leave a   4 to 5 inch opening on one side for turning. 
       5.  Sew around the pinned area, starting and stopping at the opening, then turn the scarf right side out through the opening. 
       6.   Use a needle and thread to stitch the opening closed, folding in the seam allowance. 

     This fabric from Mood is so soft and has such a nice drape to it! 
      Wear the scarf by putting it over your head, give it a twist and then put it over again.  Then, arrange and fluff the cowl around your neck.  Lovely! A scarf can really complete an outfit and add warmth to your neck that helps to keep the rest of you warm through the chilly winter months.   I'm pretty excited to try out some other fabrics to match some outfits of my own and I know just where to shop! 

        The first time you log onto Mood, they will offer you a 15% discount.  And, when they sent me my order, I received a coupon for my next order!  There is also a sale button that you should check out on their site! It is so much fun shopping for fabric from the comfort of my computer chair!  Check out ​this print that I just found on sale! 

        Later, I'll share my crochet pattern for an infinity scarf.  They make up so quickly and depending on the type of yarn you use and the stitch you use, they have so many different looks.   If you start now, you can sew and crochet all of your gifts for next year in no time! 

Other Sewing Projects:
Scrap Fabric Basket
Harvest Apron
Child's Apron from a Fat Quarter
One Strap Drawstring Tote